Paula Deen y’all… {The Deen Team}

 

I have personally been a huge fan of Mrs. Paula Deen for some time. I have eaten at The Lady & Sons many times, I DVR all Paula Deen shows, I own many of her cookbooks, and I have saved her interview with Oprah and watch it over and over and over.

I adore all things Paula, so I was just elated to find out that she is adding bloggers to her already popular blogging team, The Deen Team. I would be honored to be chosen to be a part of this team. I read her blogs faithfully.

The Deen Team: click HERE!

I have been blogging for only 10 months, and it is now part of my daily routine. My BFF Amanda of Dixie Delights talked me into blogging last December, and I have taken the plunge into this brave new world. I believe that Amanda should be selected for this honor, but I’d like a chance too. Much newer to the blogging experience, I feel I have what it takes to be part of a team.

I am a true Southern gentleman at heart. I appreciate all things Southern. I love Southern ways of dressing, dining, decorating, and drinking. I hail from a small Southern town, Thibodaux, Louisiana, a town about 60 miles SW of New Orleans. I have lived in Atlanta, GA and now reside in good ole N’Awlins, that’s New Orleans. I am unique to the blogging world as there are not many male bloggers that I come across on a daily basis. I feel this sets me somewhat apart. I often bring a different prospective to the blogging domain.

I have been partnered with the most amazing young man for over 14 years. I have a wonderful Southern family who love to cook, entertain, and tell stories. I could go on and on and on. My stories are endless.

Personally, I love decorating my Southern home, diet cokes, sweet tea, raw oysters, wear Southern Tide & Southern Proper, Sid Mashburn, seersucker, beach bags, flip flops, scotch and ginger ale, slightly dirty Ketel One martinis, throwing parties, Mardi Gras… the list is endless. I enjoy the Southern way of life.

Here are the reasons I would love a chance to blog for The Deen Team:

1. I am always passionate.

I have taken flack from some of my friends for entering the blogging world, but it has become addictive. I really enjoy telling stories and sharing my many likes and dislikes in the world of decorating, shopping, and dining. I have been a leader since birth. No one tells me what I should or should not be doing or what I should or should not believe. I enjoy life and am very passionate about my beliefs.

2. I am Southern.

I eat and drink the Southern way of life. I love the spirit of the ocean as well as the spirit of Southern cities big and small. I adore seersucker and a great cotton polo. I love critter shorts and ribbon belts. Ray Bans and Costa sunglasses are always in style. I love thank you notes!

Click HERE for photos of my Southern style.

Click HERE for On Being Southern.

3. I love to decorate.

Decorating is one huge passion of mine. Ever since I was a young boy, I have always enjoyed arranging and rearranging my bedroom. I too would get a huge rush walking into antique stores with my mom or grandmother(my Me-Me). As a past renter and homeowner, I still love to design and decorate my spaces to reflect my own sense of style. I prefer Southern design and shy away from clean, modern lines which I find museum-like. I love to decorate seasonally too.

Click HERE for my Parlor post.

4. I love to entertain.

Living in the party central of New Orleans, entertaining is a way of life. I reside only two blocks off the Uptown parade routes, so throwing huge parties is simply a way of life in February or early March. I have also loved to throw annual parties such as my “Happy Fall Y’all” and “Mix, Mingle, and Jingle” soirees. The fine details and delicious foods often set my parties apart.

Click HERE for my party posts.

5. I love to create.

I have created and decorated many homes and businesses since my early 20s. I love to create wreaths, garlands, and custom botanical arrangements. My arrangements are very Southern incorporating magnolia leaves, palm fronds, beach grasses, and more. I also love to create objects with the beloved Southern staple, the oyster shell.

Click HERE for post on The Acorn at Wisteria Hill.

Click HERE for creating the Oyster Shell wreath.

Click HERE for Things I Make & Sell.

6. I love the beach.

I think in an earlier life I must have lived at the beach. Ever since I was a young child, I always vacationed at the beach. From Grand Isle to Amelia Island, from Destin to South Beach, I feel the call of the ocean. The air, the smells, and the sun envelop me often. I am delighted to reside only a couple hours from the beach of my youth, Grand Isle. Grand Isle is one of my most favorite destinations (oh, the stories I could share). And I do have a thing for beach bags and flip flops.

Click HERE for my Grand Isle post.

7. I love monograms.

From pillow cases to bath towels, Southerners monogram everything. I am no different. I have monogrammed beach towels, swim suits, sweaters, towels, tote bags, napkins, and much more.

8. I teach.

Being a teacher for a long time, I have loads and loads of information that I can share on education and educating our youths. Teaching middle school science, I am an expert at planning relevant lessons and activities. Teaching is a joy for me. I’d be more than happy to share my activities with readers. I also love to create bulletin boards which are unique and topical. I have been a past Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Young Educator of Thibodaux, my hometown.

9. I love to dine in great Southern establishments.

Living in New Orleans, I am fortunate to be surrounded by a plethora of fine dining establishments and lesser known dives. From shrimp & grits to raw oysters, I enjoy true Southern staples.

Click HERE for my favorite New Orleans restaurant post.

10. I love to collect.

Collecting has always been a Southern way of life. I enjoy collecting and have collections of antler trophies, vintage trophy cups, Oysteria serveware, glassware, Alison Evans pottery, Laurel Wilder plates, horn-handles utensils & serveware, wicker demijohns, and more. The list of my collections is endless. I enjoy scouring the internet, flea markets, and antique malls to add to my many collections.

Click HERE for my Oysteria post.

11. I love to shop.

No matter what city J & I visit, I love to support local economies, and there is nothing better than getting to know the shop owners of small city & country shops. I love The Plantation Shop in Amelia Island. I adore Boxwoods in Atlanta. The Paris Market in Savannah is one of my faves. I adore the shops in the cities that dot the Gulf Coast. In New Orleans, I shop at Hazelnut, Aux Belle Choses, Gentry, Perlis just to name a few. It is also exciting to bring home a great memento from cities I cherish so dear.

Click HERE to check out one of my favorite Magazine Street shops.

12. I love to read Southern magazines.

Southern Living, Garden & Gun, and yes, even Southern Lady are magazines I love to read and peruse on a monthly basis. Coastal Living, House Beautiful, and Traditional Home are others I appreciate too. I am also a sucker for the special edition type magazines at the checkout. These magazines serve as great idea sources and give much inspiration. I love to learn from others.

Click HERE for one of my fave magazine posts.

13. I love candles.

You name the candle, I probably own it or have owned it in the past. From Southern candles like Low Country Luxe, a Savannah original to Seda France, a good smelling candle always sets the tone to my home and decor. I love to feature candles often and share the ones I like the most.

Click HERE for one of my favorite candle posts.

14. I love a cocktail.

You can’t get any more Southern than a daily cocktail in the parlor, on the porch, or in the courtyard. I love scotch & ginger ale, slightly dirty ketel one martinis, and an array of locale specialty drinks. Cheers!

Click HERE for a cocktail post.

15. I love a “thank you”.

Whether it be a note or gesture, a thank you is oh-so Southern. Good manners and a hand written note go a long way.

Click HERE for my thank you post.

16. I love coffee talk (tawk!).

Starting the day with a cup of coffee and visits with family and friends makes me happy. Sharing coffee talk in one of my favorite mugs while watching morning TV is what I long for.

Click HERE for my Coffee talk post.

17. I love my family and friends.

Last but certainly not least, family and friends! I have some great ones. It is through them that I feel love and support.

I hope you will comment below because I know that Paula and her team will be paying the Uptown Acorn a visit in the near future. I would be elated to be part of the Deen Team of bloggers. I am quite new to this world but feel I have what it takes to make Paula, her team, and her readers proud.

There’s a lot more about the Uptown Acorn to learn. Give me the chance. Thanks!

Linking to:

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Paula Deen, y’all!